[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 129 (Thursday, August 6, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S4519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Ms. Warren, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Markey, 
        Mr. Booker, Mr. Wyden, Mrs. Gillibrand, and Mr. Lujan):
  S. 5301. A bill to amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 to reauthorize the position of Farmworker Coordinator; to 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Voice 
for Farm Workers Act, which I introduced today.
  Our Nation's farmworkers are the backbone of the U.S. food supply 
chain. In the 2008 farm bill, Congress created the Farmworker 
Coordinator position: one person statutorily dedicated to serving as a 
liaison between the more than 2 million farm workers and the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture. Unfortunately, Congress has never provided 
the resources necessary to support a position of this magnitude. The 
time to fix this injustice is now.
  The 2023 U.S. Department of Agriculture Equity Commission Interim 
Report included a strong recommendation for the USDA to fund and 
elevate roles for professional staff solely dedicated to farm workers' 
concerns and perspectives.
  That is why I am introducing this bill to expand and strengthen the 
Coordinator position to carry out the responsibilities necessary to 
better meet the needs of our farmworkers. This bill would also support 
increased collaboration within the Department, with farmworkers, and 
with relevant stakeholders to create recommendations for new 
initiatives and programs to support farmworkers.
  As we negotiate a new farm bill, I urge my colleagues to prioritize 
and support the workers that ensure our families and loved ones remain 
fed and healthy. Farmworkers' voices must be and deserve to be heard.
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